The Level Field Institute, an automotive research organization founded by retired autoworkers, launched July 26 an ad campaign that will examine the possible economic effect of competing corporate average fuel economy (CAFÉ) bills. The ad spotlights two not so known provisions that could have a vital effect on employments.
The CAFÉ could lessen carbon emissions and America's dependence on foreign oil by mandating car makers to build flexible fuel vehicles. By doing so, growing Ethanol industry would also be further escalated, sticking on the fact that the said industry currently supports 200,000 U.S. jobs and many of which are in Midwestern states that are hit hard by manufacturing job losses. The Senate CAFE bill does not require investments in flex fuels unlike the House's Hill-Terry bill (H.R. 2927).
Therefore, each Chrysler catalytic converter will surely lessen toxicity emissions.
Level Field president Jim Doyle said that this is the best opportunity wherein Congress will have to move America towards a flexible fuel economy. But he asserted that the nation cannot get there without more car makers building flex fuel cars for the industry.
Furthermore, the Senate CAFE bill also eradicates current "anti-backsliding" rules which require car makers to meet CAFE standards for the fleets they build here and those built outside the country. This encourages a bigger number of small car productions in the U.S. As stated in the Senate bill, five assembly plants building fuel-efficient vehicles, which support around 180,000 U.S. jobs, could close. Plants that are at risk include Lordstown, OH (GM); Spring Hill, TN (GM); Wayne, MI (Ford); Belvidere, IL (Chrysler); and, Fremont, CA (GM/Toyota).
Doyle added that they have seen a lot of rhetoric over how much CAFE should hike, but the small print also has a very huge effect on the economy of the U.S. He also explained that under the Senate bill, small car manufacturing is more likely to move outside the country, and we will see no increase in Ethanol investment that would repay those losses.
He continued that their partisans adhere that CAFÉ should be hiked but he opposed it by saying that today every automaker in the United States faces health care expenditures and currency disadvantages that make it difficult to profitably produce small cars here.
Level Field will begin a locally-intended advertising campaign early this August.
About Level Field Institute
Level Field aims to promote U.S. jobs, R&D and infrastructure investment by offering clear comparisons of how various automakers add spur to the rise of the U.S. economy. The institute is established by retirees and families of GM, Ford, DaimlerChrysler, and the suppliers and dealers that support them. It is also being supported by major manufacturers, suppliers, dealers, unions and others who show concern on these issues. Level Field Institute welcomes foreign car maker investments and aids free trade.
About the Author
Evander Klum is a Business Administration graduate who hails from Alabama. He enjoys extreme sports and he is also a car racing fanatic. At present, he works as a marketing manager at an advertising agency in Cleveland.
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